Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

How can we miss you if you won’t go away?

Posted in:

Illinois

* If Hillary Clinton wins the White House, and history follows its usual pattern here,her first midterm will be pretty awful for Illinois Democrats. Knowing that, top tier Dems may take a pass on challenging the super-wealthy Republican Bruce Rauner. Maybe I’m wrong, though, and some do emerge because maybe Rauner is super unpopular by then (although the national political mood tends to influence state races more than the state mood). I could be mistaken. But whatever happens, I think that a Hillary win is Pat Quinn’s best hope to win the nomination again. The general election is quite another matter…

The former longtime gadfly-turned-governor is working behind the scenes to get support for what amounts to an “I told you so” re-election campaign, several Democratic sources say, making calls and setting up lunches and coffees to make his pitch. Quinn has also been more visible of late, including on Wednesday when he joined a group of stagehands protesting in Chicago. Sources say that Quinn asked for speaking roles at this year’s Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the county chairmen’s breakfast.

Quinn argues he should have a chance to go before voters again and tell them he was right all along in advocating to make his controversial “temporary” income tax hike permanent. The risky election-year tax proposal sucked up much oxygen in the last months of Quinn’s unsuccessful campaign against Rauner, a political rookie. Rauner, a wealthy private equity investor, asked lawmakers not to extend the tax before he took office. They obliged. […]

But Quinn’s dreams may be dead on arrival. As the operative who described Quinn’s pitch put it, “I haven’t heard anyone who’s taking it seriously. I think everyone is in agreement, our fundamental problem with our last election was our candidate.”

Another major Democratic insider pointed to the numbers, noting that in 2014, “650,000 people voted for the minimum wage referendum who didn’t vote for Pat Quinn. That tells you something.”

When Speaker Madigan said that Bruce Rauner didn’t really win last year, Pat Quinn lost, that was probably as much of a message to the former governor as it was to the current one. Or, at least, it should’ve been.

It’s no secret, by the way, that Quinn has been plotting this race almost since his 2014 defeat. He’s been popping up at events lately, including just this week at a union protest.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:40 am

Comments

Just, no.

Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:42 am
We tried that with Adlai. How’d that work out?

Comment by Beenthereseenthat Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:43 am
OMG. PQ needs to slink away and not further embarrass himself.

Some of his followers who only had one shot at glory in their lives will unfortunately encourage him.

Comment by Cassiopeia Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:44 am
I’m sorry but Quinn needs to find himself an island and snuggle down for the rest of his life. Seriously, never show your face again.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:46 am
Seeing how this was the year Marty McFly came “Back to the Future” I see a remake in the offing:

Pat Quinn as Marty McFly
Governor Rauner as Biff
Mike Madigan as Doc.

Now all we need is a DeLorean and a stormy night.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:48 am
When I saw this, I thought heard the Rauner Crew, all the way in Oswego, scream “Please!!”

“Dear former Gov. Quinn,

It’s over. You got 6 years, that’s 6 years longer than many ever get. There’s 41 people who’ve been governor, besides you. You peaked.

As Kelly Clarkson has sung:

‘You had your chance you blew it
Out of sight, out of mind
(Close) your mouth I just can’t take it
Again and again and again and again’

Do something else. Anything else. Please.

With kindest personal regards, I remain.

Sincerely yours,

Oswego Willy”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:49 am
If it came down to Rauner vs. Quinn Round 2, I think I would run just I could vote for somebody else. Unless Oswego Willy ran, then I’d happily vote for him instead.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:49 am
The one way Bruce Rauner wins reelection.

Comment by Bruce (No not him) Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:50 am
And “1.8 gigawatt” is not a measure of power needed to juice the car, it’s actually the dollar amount this state is in debt.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:51 am
Meh. We pretty much knew this was coming, right? I think as long as there is someone else, they will get the support over Quinn. I personally like him. I think he was getting the state on the right track. But, if you can lose to a guy like Bruce Rauner, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for you. You should have run a better campaign, Pat.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:51 am
- Skeptic -

If - Norseman - puts the “band back together”, I’ll at least look at it… in 2 years… which is galacial time in politics.

I appreciate your support, and keep your ears open, and your email open too. OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:53 am
And MJM was wrong about Rauner not winning and Quinn losing. But, MJM was also Blago’s co-campaign manager, so that speaks volumes.

Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:53 am
Further into the article it states he has paid Cheryl Byers $14K in the previous quarter. Nothing like paying your former girlfriend of two decades. Oh, right, consultant.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:53 am
I’m surprised Quinn isn’t finding some office to run for in 2016.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:53 am
This sounds like an onion article…

PQ when you travel around the state, and talk with people who live in the Democratic Bubble (ZERO independents and Republicans) of course they will be begging you to run again. Please travel around DuPage, Lake, and Will County; then travel to Champaign, Decatur, Metro East and Carbondale. Introduce yourself as former governor Pat Quinn and see what they say. All areas you forgot in 2014 because you put all your eggs in Chicago.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:54 am
- anon -

There is a ridiculously huge difference in “campaign manager” (Which Madigan was NOT) and a “campaign chairman” (Which Madigan was).

Sheesh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:56 am
Quinn was known as a “nice guy”, but I think the verdict came in some time ago: he doesn’t “have the horses” to administer this state.

Certainly the Dem’s can come up with a shining star with 1) a demonstrated track record, 2) the ability to communicate and motivate, and 3)enough management, interpersonal & business sense not to alienate entire sectors of Illinoisans.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:56 am
Quinn is a very nice man, but he needs to move on… Quinn, you should spend your time doing volunteer work. Quinn, use your skills to work on getting more Dems (not yourself) elected in IL and elected on the federal level too.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:57 am
I can’t see many “top tier” Dems passing on the race. Lisa, sure, she’s had the red carpet rolled out plenty of times already. But everyone else (depending on what the “top tier” is)? The Governor’s office is just too powerful, and Dems believe (regardless of if it’s true) that IL is too blue. The Dems will get a live one. They may not win (I generally bet on incumbents), but they’ll get a live one.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:59 am
Quinn was right about the cuts that were (and are still needed) in Entitlement programs for the wealthy.

Having said that, and Quinn has been a good public servant for Illinois I’d like to,suggest starting a foundation or putting your energy in that.

It is true we have a Governor who is a do-nothing.

Comment by Jack Stephens Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:59 am
Perhaps a Gofundme campaign to buy Squeezy’s pop some retirement land in Elba might be tempting for more than a few..

Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:00 am
I agree wholeheartedly with Madigan here. PQ lost the election, BVR didn’t win it. It’s a long time until 2018 but as things stand now and it comes down to Rauner v. Quinn I can see BVR losing the election as people hold their noses and vote for Quinn.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:01 am
Quinn should listen to Madigan.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:01 am
I’m not one to give the Dems advice but, given who’s currently in 207 State House and the sheer volumes of cash he controls, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a “Bob Dole” strategy. It’s pretty much a given that the RNC knew they couldn’t take out President Clinton in 1996 - even after the historic 1994 landslide - so they put up somewhat of a sacrificial lamb in Senator Dole. Of course, I’m sure Mr. Dole wouldn’t appreciate being called a sacrificial lamb, but it worked and the GOP parlayed that “strategy” into the controversial 2000 election and eight years of Dubya.

If we’re to take Governor Rauner at his word and assume he’s only running for two terms, perhaps the DGA and the Illinois Dems need to keep their powder dry. It’s just a thought and theory, but a race against a self-funding candidate who also has the backing of the RGA isn’t exactly ground for success in a mid-term election cycle when voter turnout (and overall interest/excitement) is much lower. And who’s going to run? Treasurer Frerichs would have to give up his seat, and any Senate Dem who’s term is up in 2018 might prefer to stay put and remain in the Senate.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:02 am
No enthusiasm across the board for a Quinn rerun.
Keep looking.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:02 am
Dear Governor Quinn,

Please run. You are the perfect man, along with your trusty sidekick Squeezy the python, for the job. I beg you to run! Pretty please!

Yours truly,

Every Republican in Illinois

Comment by Anon Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:02 am
One thing Quinn and Rauner have in common: Each of them thinks he’s the only person that can save this state. And they’re both wrong.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:05 am
Interesting to see the names mentioned at the end of the story as potential Dem candidates. Dan Kotowski and Lisa Madigan?

Funny thing that one name still pops up in conversation…

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:05 am
Quinn rebuilt.
Rauner is tearing down what Quinn rebuilt.
Quinn is a good, honest man who worked tirelessly, and I would support him all the way if he decides to get back in.

Comment by Solid Dwight Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:05 am
==If we’re to take Governor Rauner at his word and assume he’s only running for two terms, perhaps the DGA and the Illinois Dems need to keep their powder dry. ==

No. The Map.

To say nothing of the fact that no one in DPI trusts Rauner’s word. But that doesn’t matter.

The Map.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:06 am
OW-
Thank you, thank you, thank you for quoting Kelly Clarkson.
Again and again and again and again.

Comment by Emily Miller Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:08 am
The man has no shame. It is telling that he rose to the position of Illinois governor.

And that he has spent $240,000 this year.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:10 am
Elba’s great, but here’s a serious question for folks: if PQ’s running in a Dem primary, what’s required to avoid a Burris-like result? Kwame Raoul?

Comment by The Historian Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:10 am
Sens. Steans, Raoul, and Hutchison are all up for 4-year terms next year. Any one of them would make a better candidate than Gov. Quinn.

Comment by Lakeview J Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:10 am
Arsenal - and what if the remap amendment passes during next year’s election cycle? That would throw a wrench into that concern/platform and would completely take that away.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:11 am
I may be in the minority here but Quinn doesn’t look near as bad to me these days

Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:13 am
We call him former Governor Quinn with good reason.

Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:14 am
I look at Quinn like I look at Jerry Ford. The right person at the right time to get through the post-corruption transition. Once that time passed, so did Ford’s. So did Quinn’s.

Comment by Southside Markie Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:14 am
(Tips cap to - Emily Miller -)

If I were Democrats?

You have a constitutional statewide race in 2016. I’d focus on that right now, as opposed to guessing the landscape 2 years from today, and how things, governmentally and politically, will be… then.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:14 am
When the Constitutional Convention moved statewide offices off-presidential starting in 1978, Richard J. said Dems wouldn’t elect a governor for 20 years.

Actually, it was 24.

Historically, voter turnout drops 20 percentage points off-year, most of them likely Dem voters.

Another issue for Dems is that two prominent state office-holders — White and Lisa Madigan — don’t move. Those are tne prime offices to build a statewide base for a governor’s run.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:20 am
Why does Lisa Madigan’s name keep coming up? She already said she can’t run for governor as long as MJM is speaker. And MJM clearly isn’t going to leave the battlefield as long as Rauner is still on it. Move along.

Comment by Marty Funkhouser Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:20 am
I’m just going to throw this out here — if the same people are involved in developing and carrying out the campaign plan, field plan, media plan, etc, it’s not really going to matter whether or not Quinn is a candidate.

Regardless of his qualities as a candidate, the actual execution of the Quinn campaign was terrible. If Quinn 2016 or Generic Democrat 2016 wants to win they’re going to need to adopt the best practices from other states and give up on the “old way” of doing things in Illinois.

Talented and competent campaign staff, especially the ‘middle management’ folks expect to be paid for their work and are not going to be attracted to a race that isn’t going to pay them a salary that is commensurate with their experience.

Relying on folks who want jobs to volunteer, especially when it’s illegal to promise a paid position in exchange for campaign work, basically guarantees that your “staff” is going to be made up of folks that lake experience and desired skill sets.

If Quinn can’t shake his old bad habits and can’t get rid of people who only know the old and ineffective way of organizing a campaign, he’s going to fail again.

Illinois doesn’t need another failure.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:20 am
Anybody ever see Pat Quinn and Bernie Sanders in the same room at the same time?

Comment by Abe Froman Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:22 am
Thanks, but no thanks.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:24 am
Somebody needs to have a Dutch uncle conversation with Quinn. And Quinn needs to listen.

Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:26 am
OK, got it.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:30 am
Props for the Dan Hicks reference, Rich.

Comment by Eric Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:32 am
Quinn will be the IllinoisGo candidate for governor.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:33 am
I guess this means you can follow bad counsel and lose a winnable election, and not even see where you went wrong a year later.

Comment by Hmmmmm Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:33 am
Excuse my mistake Willy.

Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:34 am
Aldyth - he’s just like Dan Rutherford. A lot of people I know - including GOP officials - tried in vein to talk him out of running for Governor, but he was set on it and wouldn’t listen. We all know how that wound up. The worst part about that is he probably would’ve scared off legit Dem challengers and won reelection easily had he decided to stay put. Oh well.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:38 am
Why doesn’t he run for Mayor? I know he has to wait a little longer, but he probably has a much better chance to win.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:38 am
Noodle armed man standing by the high striker at the fair pleading for another ticket because I JUST KNOW I CAN MAKE THE BELL RING THIS TIME.

Just walk on by.

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:38 am
Quinn has run for a statewide office in every election since 1986. There is no reason to believe he can be talked out of doing so in 2016.

It’s not like anyone ever asked him to run before.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:39 am
Sometimes you just can’t shake the virus.

Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:41 am
Maybe he should try for low governor again.

Comment by Jorge Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:42 am
I am sure Rauner will love for Quinn to the nominee. And with all his money and being the incumbent, Quinn might be the only one willing to run.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:43 am
=Quinn is a very nice man=
He eroded this illusion by his misleading attacks on public employees (See “Squeezy”)
Also the Quinn administration could be viewed as neither competent or ethical (See Schneider, Hannig, Ribley, etc….)
Please leave us alone Quinn… the the state still has some of the Blago malefactors left in the ranks that you protected.

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:43 am
Rich’s headline is spot on. It has been a year and a day since Quinn lost, and he’s already out there running again. PQ needed to chill, stay totally out of the light for another year, let Rauner bury himself a bit more, let the budget impasses reach 17 or 18 months, and then say “remember me when things were bad but not THIS bad?” Instead, it’s “here we go again…”

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:44 am
I think the problem for Democrats goes beyond Quinn, looking at the low turnout in midterms and the shift of white voters to Republicans. The Democrats need candidates/campaign operations who can turn out voters, like Obama did.

The African-American vote was key to Obama’s presidential victories. Had African-Americans not turned out, who knows what would have happened in swing states?

Whoever said that getting Democratic unity is like herding cats is probably right. Who can inspire the diverse Democratic voters to come out in numbers sufficient to win in off-year elections? Would it help if like Obama, the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate is black? Would a Latino candidate or woman drive up turnout?

I’m sorry to bring race and gender into this and don’t mean to subvert candidate qualifications, but there’s a reality these days that Democratic voters largely don’t turn out in off-year elections.

What is going against Republicans is that the numbers of white people are shrinking. There may come a time in the future when low turnout will have less meaning, when there are fewer white voters.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:45 am
I think one of the reasons that Durbin moved so quickly to endorse and line up the national apparatus for Duckworth was to keep Quinn from scratching the itch.

Kirk is universally rated the most vulnerable GOP incumbent in the nation. Quinn would have had a tough time passing on that race if he perceived an opening in the primary.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:49 am
“Illinois doesn’t need another failure.” AMEN!
One thing is for sure, we don’t need another Rauner in office!

Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:51 am
==and what if the remap amendment passes during next year’s election cycle?==

We can re-evaluate if that happens. And if it does, DPI has certainly won under “Republican” maps before. But unless and until it does, DPI isn’t going to give up on full remap powers, to say nothing of all the other considerable power of the Guv’s office.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:51 am
It is official.
Rauner is such a bad governor - Pat Quinn thinks he can beat him. When Illinoisans see Pat Quinn, the first thing that pops into their head if they want to speak to him is, “Wow - I wish you were still governor!”. Hearing this over the past ten months has given Old Pat and his sidekick Betsy hope that he could indeed avenge his 2014 loss.

Yet - ask Jim Edgar how many times he hears, “WOW, I wish you were still governor!” I bet he has been hearing it for over a decade. He heard it often enough during the early Blagojevich years to consider running for the US Senate seat. He heard it often enough over the past ten months, he has been forced out in the open to suggest that Bruce Rauner consider giving governing a chance.

You see - when current office holders stink to high heaven, citizens, upon seeing former office holders (who hadn’t been jailed), tell them that they wish they were still holding office. And here in Illinois - we have had over a decade of telling our former governors, Thompson and Edgar, these things.

When I meet a former governor, (not Quinn, Blagojevich or Ryan), I approach them by thanking them for serving the state, and jokingly telling them that I wish they were still governor.

Pat Quinn has been hearing this said to him and it has given the old gadfly a flicker of electoral hope.

Get used to it Pat - while Rauner is in office, you will hear this common refrain. Ask the Governor Jims, they have been hearing the same thing for years and years.

Don’t bank on it.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:52 am
The Dems need someone who can win, but Jesse White & Lisa Madigan are out of the question. Plus the Republicans need a true blue Republican to run on their ticket, and not a candidate who is really a radical Tea Partier but pretends to be a Republican. One thing is for sure, we don’t need another Rauner in office!

Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:52 am
“When Speaker Madigan said that Bruce Rauner didn’t really win last year, Pat Quinn lost, that was probably as much of a message to the former governor as it was to the current one. ”

Three points:

1) the issue here is that Madigan and his team had no one would could win. This is issue is clearly a problem nationally for the Dems.

2) Quinn has “retired” on a fine state pension. It appears he has taken care of his pals as well. What else does he expect or need?

3) Both Quinn and Madigan added to the problem. They could not agree internally - What has changed?

Comment by Cannon649 Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:53 am
The public generally like the idea of a two-term limit for governors, and Quinn is seen as having “had his time,” (despite totaling six years).

Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:55 am
==When Illinoisans see Pat Quinn, the first thing that pops into their head if they want to speak to him is, “Wow - I wish you were still governor!”. ==

I like PQ considerably more than the average CapFaxer, but I question if that is true. *I* wish he was still Governor, but if I represented the majority viewpoint of the state, we wouldn’t have to worry about Rauner right now, anyway.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:57 am
You’re right - you told us so. But NOBODY wants you back except maybe Brooke and Lou. GO. AWAY. NOW.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:57 am
How many times do you imagine Bill Brady is approached and told, “Gee Bill, I wish you were elected governor!” I wouldn’t be surprised to if he’s actually hears this on a regular basis - even now.

I’m certain that Glenn Poshard heard this during the single Ryan term.

No one says this to Blagojevich.

It wouldn’t surprise me to be told that George Ryan gets this comment whispered to him occasionally, now that he’s out of prison.

Trust me FORMER Governor Quinn - I wouldn’t vote for you. While I definitely wouldn’t vote for Rauner, I wouldn’t vote for you.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 9:59 am
Mouthy — He’s in Elba now. I think you mean St. Helena.

Colin — all I ever need is a Delorean and a stormy night…

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:04 am
Please God, No.

Comment by Relocated Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:05 am
We can do it! I’ll be your trusty, beat up briefcase, Betsy here, at your beck and call (and full of random thoughts on slips of white paper)

Comment by Betsy Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:05 am
NO! Just No. Take every four letter word you can think of and add the word no. Pat, Patrick, listen! You ran the most pathetic campaign for Governor I’ve ever seen. We haven’t forgotten how bad things were with you. I will vote for anyone, anyone in the primary over you. You’ve done enough damage to our state, now go away!

Comment by No Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:06 am
LOLZ…please, Governor Quinn, run again.

Comment by Lunchbox Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:12 am
Quinn caused Gov Rauner. Quinn’s organization was a disaster, never could get it together. Had the daycare kids running the state. Go away Quinn and find something else to do. Even democrats didn’t vote for you.

Comment by Kathryn Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:16 am
Like him or (mostly) not, Quinn was financially responsible, advocated for both unpopular cuts and tax increases. Had he been re-elected, the structural deficit would have been eliminated by now.

Having said that, he was a terrible leader and would match up terribly against Rauner. However, he would be great at shining light on the wedges /hostages.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:17 am
Funny headline Rich. reminds me of another country music title, “How can I get over you, if you won’t get out from under him”.

Comment by Columbo Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:22 am
Quinn vs Rauner=same Hobson’s choice as the last election. Neither party seems willing or able to put up a candidate who is really driven by service to the public, all the public.

Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:23 am
Good luck PQ. You are not a nice guy and you were a terrible governor.

Plenty of good people and worthwhile projects got taken out by the mendacity of you and your Kiddie Corps. As for your “administration,” look at the Thompson Center. Your running mate Rod didn’t preserve it because he a) had no money and b) basically didn’t go to work. You, hard-working man of the people, were tjhere most of the time and had a huge capital bill which could have fixed it or at least preserved value.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:34 am
Quinn needs to listen to this message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRJ38y4Jn6k

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:36 am
Hopefully the next democrat nominee will act like a democrat and run on a progressive income tax, increasing minimum wage, mandatory sick/paternity leave, make the state more union friendly for private sector unions etc. Pat Quinn stood for and got none of these things done.

Comment by Very Fed Up Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:38 am
The question is who can run against Rauner’s money and win?

Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:43 am
Ugh. Quinn is a disaster for the Democratic Party. He needs to remain a former governor, and learn to be gracious about it.

Comment by PolPal56 Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:48 am
Ugh.

To the bitter end and beyond.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:51 am
I agree with Rich that a Dem midterm slump and all of Bruce’s $ would scare off top tier Dem challengers. But Rauner still could be beat in ‘18 as long as the Dems nominate a candidate that has nothing to do with the mess in Springfield. Quinn and any member of the Senate Dem caucus don’t fit the bill. But I’m not sure who does.

Comment by Ricardo Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:53 am
Since the CMAs were last night, doesn’t “How can we miss you if won’t go away?!” sound like a Carrie Underwood song title?

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:59 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOHq5WbQ8k

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:02 am
If it came down to it w/Rauner vs Quinn, I’d be voting Quinn in a hearbeat.

He may not have been the most effective, but he deeply cared about Illinois and it’s people.

Rauner is all about tearing it down, with zero idea what to do once he’s ruined it completely.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:03 am
Mike Madigan would love it if Pat was Governor again…it’s like not having the Governor to deal with…one of the youngsters from the Dem caucus needs to step up…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:03 am
Quinn/Squeezy 2018!

Comment by RoPo Ranger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:12 am
Quinn/Squeezy 2018!

Comment by RoPo Ranger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:12 am
I agree with Willie; focus on 2016. We could be looking at full-blown class warfare by 2018.

Comment by David Starrett Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:30 am
I wonder how the situation will be different when Sanders wins.

Comment by CharlieKratos Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 11:55 am
I don’t believe that Quinn ran a pathetic or lousy campaign. I also find it hard to believe he spent $240,000 post election to keep an elect Pat Quinn operation going?

Kind of like the way he ran his government. Keep spending!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Louis, Quinn made substantial cuts in spending.

The current budget is running a $6 to $8 billion deficit while certain core services are not being funded at all and state vendors and contractors are not being paid.

That information is easily accessible.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 12:16 pm
Hat tip to Soccermom.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 12:19 pm
Lisa for governor.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 1:20 pm
-”I don’t believe that Quinn ran a pathetic or lousy campaign”

Hey Louis, I want what you’re smoking!

Comment by Belden Ave. Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 2:15 pm
Maybe there is aRepublican that will see the light and run in the primary. Chaos chaos

Comment by Big foot Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 2:16 pm
2018 is a long way off. Long enough for the Democrats to convince me that there’s one among them who can beat Rauner. If Pat Quinn wanted to be Governor, the time was last year to really convince us.

Comment by Timmeh Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 2:22 pm
Chris Kennedy would wipe the floor with PQ. As would pretty much any other elected official.

Did he see the poll testing him against Tammy Duckworth? He is simply not electable.

Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Let that man lose another race if he wants to. This time he can fail to get out of the primary. But then who knows what’ll happen.

Comment by Levois Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 2:31 pm
Semi-serious, semi-snarky question. Any chance Quinn will use the November 2016 Presidential election to foment a “citizen’s groundswell” to make gubernatorial recall eadier?

Comment by Smitty Irving Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 3:28 pm
Easier. Hate typing on phone.

Comment by Smitty Irving Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 3:30 pm
I would vote for Quinn again, just not in the primary.

Comment by PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 4:01 pm
I would vote for Quinn today.
Because today it wouldn’t count.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 10:43 pm